English Grammar for University Students. Part 4
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The Infinitive is the form of the verb which expresses a process in general, and is known as the initial form of the verb.
The Infinitive may be used with the particle to. Sometimes the particle is separated from the Infinitive by other words, e.g. an adverb (split Infinitive).
This separation is usually used for the purpose of emphasis.
You have to really watch him.
Historically, the Infinitive is a verbal noun. That is why it combines the features of the verb with those of the noun.
The verbal features of the Infinitive are manifested in its morphological and syntactical characteristics.
1. It possesses the grammatical categories of voice, aspect and temporal correlation.
It was too dark to read the map and we took the wrong turning.
You’re not supposed to be reading this.
Fleming, Tolkien and CS Lewis are the authors that British people most claim – falsely – to have read.
This is a book to be read by everybody taking this course!
Why do some new messages appear to have been read when I haven’t opened them yet?
She was seen to have been reading the new book in the garden.
2. The Infinitive possesses the verb combinability:
a) The Infinitive of transitive (переходные) verbs takes a direct object.
Alex may send (transitive verb) a postcard (direct object) from Argentina.
3. The Infinitive can be modified by adverbials.
She agreed to leave the room quickly and quietly.
The nominal character of the Infinitive is manifested in its syntactical functions.
To drive fast in such weather is pretty dangerous (subject).
Their duty will be to look after the children (predicative).
I asked her to explain everything (object).
I have no desire to go there (attribute).
The grammatical categories of the infinitive
The Infinitive possesses verbal categories: temporal correlation, aspect, and voice (for transitive forms) (as shown in the table below) [Тивьяева, 2007].
As for temporal correlation, the forms of the Infinitive show whether the action is simultaneous to the action expressed by the finite verb, or prior to it.
1. The Non-Perfect (Indefinite, Simple) Infinitive denotes an action simultaneous with that of the finite verb.
Jeremy likes to write letters.
Jeremy liked to write letters.
Jeremy will like to write letters.
2. The Continuous Infinitive expresses an action in progress or happening over a period of time and simultaneous with that of the finite verb. The Continuous Infinitive is both a temporal and aspect form, becauseit expresses how an action, denoted by the Infinitive, extends over time.
You must be joking.
I happened to be waiting for the bus when the accident happened.
3. The Perfect Infinitive denotes an action prior to that of the finite verb.
Lucy was known to have left the day before.
I am happy to have finished school.
If you had run faster you would have won the race.
4. The Perfect Continuous Infinitive denotes an action in progress or happening over a period of time which is prior to that of the finite verb. The Perfect Continuous Infinitive is both a temporal and aspect form,because it expresses how an action, denoted by the Infinitive, extends over time.
I’m glad to have been living in Barcelona for the last ten years.
But for the fog the travellers would have been wandering in the forest for a long time.
The Infinitive of transitive verbs possesses voice distinctions and has the forms of the Active and Passive Voice.
Please remember to bring a mat and a towel with you to the next aerobics class (Indefinite Active).
He happened to be brought up in a very rich family (Indefinite Passive). President Trump is very proud to have brought the subject of illegal immigration back into the discussion (Perfect Active).
Tomatoes are known to have been brought to Europe in the XVIth century (Perfect Passive).